Latest Articles in January/February 2013

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Welcome to Window & Door's coontinuing coverage of the 2013 International Builders' Show. This section of our site provides an in-depth look at some of the windows, doors and skylights, as well as components and accessories showcased by industry exhibitors at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 22-24, 2013.
Additional coverage includes:
A report overviewing the event
A...more »

As the supply chain consolidates and customer loyalty wavers, manufacturers and dealers must adjust their business models

Four key trends are affecting building material distribution: consolidation, market saturation, shifting customer priorities and communication. Together, these drivers create competitive pressures that continue to intensify for manufacturers and dealers alike.
The Farnsworth Group, a market research firm specializing in the home improvement, construction and building supply...more »

“This is going to be a big one,” the retired fire official from New Jersey said. “This thing is huge, and the states it’s going to hit aren’t used to being hit by this kind of storm.”
He pointed to an image of the Hurricane Sandy weather system on his laptop screen, dubbed “Frankenstorm” due to the combination of storms that had spawned it and its...more »

An economic uptick might be on the horizon for the window and door industry, with many economists projecting positive growth for 2013 and beyond, as the 2012 election recedes into history.
At least, as Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects, says: “We can’t use the election excuse anymore for delaying decisions.”
In general―barring the usual...more »

The window and door industry is regaining confidence, according to the 2013 Industry Pulse, Window & Door’s exclusive annual survey of industry executives. After heading into 2012 in a more cautious mood, North American window and door manufacturers and dealers are once again expressing some positive expectations for the economy as a whole, and window and door demand in general....more »

More window and door companies continue to embrace social media, but mobile technologies might take longer to establish themselves among manufacturers, distributors and dealers than some expected. These findings are the result of a series of questions included as part of Window & Door's 2013 Industry Pulse study, asking about the electronic tools and media companies use to...more »

Successful projects result from careful communication between the salesperson, client and installer. This communication is necessary because, initially, all three have different perspectives. Of course, there is a common goal: a quality product, properly installed, in a reasonable timeframe, at a fair price for all. To reach that goal, all perspectives should be considered, including the...more »

The slow, but steady, easing of the economic vise that has gripped the country for more than six years is likely to create some opportunities for window and door companies this year—but only for those who are prepared to act and willing to work hard for growth, industry executives say.
“I think it’s going to be a rollercoaster year,” says Lee Shaw, vice president of sales...more »

New housing starts are expected to be up nearly 20 percent in 2013, and it's anticipated remodeling and replacement will see double-digit growth rates in the first and second quarter. Ten years ago, that would have made window and door executives giddy about the year ahead.
I’m not looking for giddy now. The past six years have been rough on most of our businesses. Dysfunction in Washington...more »